Plan Number 56576

The key elements of functionality, flexibility and value are all addressed in this design.  The first floor offers an open concept living space with subtle definition of the kitchen, family and dining areas by the use of columns and ceiling height variations.  Views of the courtyard and optional pool area are available form each room on the first level.  One of the most functional spaces in the home is theResourceCenter.  With a place for a computer, file drawers, desk space and plenty of storage, this area provides plenty of room to manage all the household activities.  Both the formal front entry and the “family entry” from the garage and courtyard each open into a central Gallery.  With the “drop zone” and stair access to the second floor, this centrally located Gallery provides excellent traffic flow along with an attractive and yet functional area for the homeowner and guests to enter the home.

The optional Casita offers a space that is not only multi-functional, but also an area that can evolve with the homeowner’s lifestyle.  While it’s the ideal location for an elderly parent, it also becomes the perfect home office, suite for an older child living at home, or a private guest quarters.  It could even function as a pool cabana/game area.

The second floor with two bedrooms and a loft is essentially an attic area above the garage resulting in economical construction costs. It becomes an ideal place for children or grandchildren.

If there’s one lesson we’ve all learned by now, it’s the fact that the kitchen functions as the hub of the home.  From spacious luxury designs to compact starter plans, this area becomes the focal point of every house. If you still question the necessity of a large, open kitchen, just observe what happens the next time you have a group of people at your home.  Invariably, everyone insists on gathering in the kitchen.  In fact, as more and more homeowners decide to eliminate the formal living room and formal dining room, the kitchen truly becomes the center for entertaining.

Plan Number 56504

The design of smaller kitchens involves the challenge of creating an open layout while maintaining adequate counter work space and ample upper cabinet storage.  One of the key elements involves a plan that directs the traffic flow around the kitchen and not through it.  In addition to the kitchen being the focal point of every home, it also often doubles as the “command center.”  With this 1400 sq. ft. design, the daily routines of paying bills and organizing activities takes place in the adjacent “Resource Center” with dedicated space for a desk, computer and file drawers.  The conveniently located “drop zone” provides special cubbies for mail, keys, cell phones and all of the other items that are typically “dropped” on the kitchen counter creating clutter and taking up valuable space. Adding to the efficiency is a space-saving “pantry wall” with a combination of open and closed shelves.

Traffic flow throughout a home always proves important in the placement of furniture and the overall feeling of spaciousness.  This consideration becomes even more critical with the location and layout of the kitchen.

Plan Number 56531

While this 2400 sq. ft. design utilizes an open concept for the kitchen/dining/family areas, note that the kitchen is actually recessed into an alcove. Thickened walls and headers create cased openings that define each of these areas while maintaining the open feeling.  Directing traffic “by” the kitchen but not “through” the area provides a secluded cooking and working space while still allowing guests to feel as though they?re in the kitchen.  The island provides additional room for food preparation along with an informal dining table.

Although the windows in the dining and family areas allow views towards the side and rear yard, it?s the triple windows over the sink that fill the kitchen with natural light.  Conveniently located adjacent to the kitchen is the laundry area and a pantry.

In many homes, the kitchen also doubles as the place to sort mail, pay bills and store cookbooks and recipes.  However, this design has incorporated a “Resource Center” where these daily tasks can be organized.  With windows overlooking the backyard, this space becomes an ideal spot to organize the household while watching the children play.  It?s easily accessible and yet secluded from the open view of guests.

Credit: Larry W. Garnett, FAIBD

We’ve realized the importance of outdoor living spaces for years; creating an “indoor/outdoor” relationship is certainly nothing new.  However, as we continue to adjust the size of the new homes we build and search for ways to add value to our designs, extending living space outdoors becomes a critical design component.

Plan Number 56541 Pool Pavilion

The design of any outdoor space is every bit as important as a home’s interior layout.  Just as walls, ceilings, and flooring define indoor spaces, outdoor living areas also require similar definitions.  The use of various surface textures such as decking, pavers, crushed granite, and concrete can begin to define the outdoor functions.  Structures, whether covered or open create “zones” for recreation, cooking, and visiting.

As our clients are faced with increasing transportation costs, functional and appealing outdoor entertaining areas are moving higher up the request list.  The ability to spend weekends and vacations in your own personal “mini resort” adds value to new homes and offers endless possibilities for upgrading existing homes.

Our design team has responded this month with outdoor living concepts that include pool houses, outdoor kitchens and even small vegetable gardens. Each of these designs offers intriguing ways to extend living space into the outdoors.

Plan Number 56541

This courtyard home encourages an enjoyment of the outdoor spaces by creating a series of connections between the inside and outside living areas.  From the Gallery entryway, there is an immediate view towards the covered porches and pool area.  Expansive windows offer unobstructed views as you proceed through the house.  The angled walls throughout the home form an axis that aligns with the pool pavilion.  While this outdoor structure defines the far edge of the courtyard, it also offers additional covered living and dining space.  With a kitchen and fireplace, this area is perfect for entertaining.  The half bath and storage area prove to be essential components for a pool house.

While in the courtyard and pool area, a view back towards the main house reveals the large glass panels and multiple French doors that seem to erase the boundaries between indoor and outdoor spaces. From inside the home, these same doors and windows extend the visual dimensions of the rooms and allow a combination of light and shadows that change as the day progresses.  Essentially, the courtyard provides and enormous amount of natural light into the home, while offering a sense of privacy to the outdoor living space.

Credit: Larry W. Garnett, FAIBD

Imagine a young couple buying an affordable house in a neighborhood with the comfort of knowing that their home could grow along with their family and their finances.  Consider a couple of aging “baby boomers” who would like to downsize to an efficiently designed two bedroom cottage – with the peace of mind that for resell purposes they could offer their home with the option of adding more bedrooms and a bonus space?

Plan Number 30504

This two-bedroom cottage could provide the perfect solution for first time buyers, baby boomers, and many others!

The core design offers a two-bedroom open floor plan with plenty of windows for natural light and cross ventilation. However, if the need arises for more space, the options are exciting.  First, a central staircase leads to a second floor that easily transforms from attic storage to either an additional two bedrooms or a game room/media center. The quaint two-bedroom cottage now becomes a four bed-room home, while retaining its ar-chitectural integrity.

If the upstairs optional area still doesn’t provide enough space, two more bedrooms can easily be added to the side of the home.  The al-ready spacious hall bath easily ac-commodates these new rooms.

Plan Number 30504

The detached garage could be built along with the home, or, depending on the finances, constructed later.  The “carport” easily transforms into a spacious outdoor living area.  Combined with the optional kitchen and toilet room in the ga-rage, the entire space offers an effi-cient alternative to a separate and costly “outdoor kitchen.”

Garages that double as outdoor living spaces can have a dramatic impact on a neighborhood of homes with garages located at a rear alley.  Imagine the added activity along what is often just a narrow passageway for cars!  Weekend cookouts could easily transform the alley into a “people place” and a safe area for the children to play.

One result of escalating development costs has been the downsizing of lots. With construction dollars directly tied to the linear footage of roads and utilities, it stands to reason that lot widths continue to decrease.

Plan Number 30502

It’s not unusual to see lots in both infill areas and newly planned developments ranging from 30 to 55 feet in width. Creating functional floor plans, elevations with curb appeal, and overall site planning can be extremely challenging. Nevertheless, carefully conceived narrow-lot projects offer the desirable combination of privacy, low maintenance, and innovative architectural design that appeals to a variety of market segments.

Our design team offers a variety of narrow-lot solutions that address such critical elements as garage placement and the value of side yards.

Designed to fit on lots ranging from 42 to 55 feet wide, this home offers several design elements that take advantage of a narrow site. The expansive wraparound porch establishes a strong connection with the front sidewalk and neighborhood, while the arbor gates open to a more secluded side yard with just the right amount of low-maintenance outdoor space for entertaining.

Interior Rendering

Although the garage could be placed to the side of thehouse on a wider lot, the narrow lot with alley access as shownallows for an efficient and cozy site layout. The optional living quarters above becomes one of the most important and flexible elements of the design. Ideal as a guest suite or home office, this area might also become an income-producing rental in neighborhoods with progressive restrictions.

The open floor plan of the main house acknowledges the kitchen as the focal point of the home. Expansive windows offer views from the dining and kitchen area to the private side yard. Large windows in the living room provide plenty of natural lightand cross-ventilation, while 10-foot ceilings throughout thehome add to the openness.

Traffic flow, often one of the most challenging elements of narrow-lot designs, is successfully addressed here. Notice how the logical “paths” allow passage from one area of the home to another without having to walk diagonally through any room. This results in rooms that are not only easier to furnish, but also require less square footage.

Plan Number 30503

From an actual day-today living experience, it’s often the details such asstorage and functionality that make any home enjoyable. Linen cabinets in each bathroom, a built-in pantry in the kitchen, and a window and counter space in the laundry room are all greatly appreciated. Perhaps the most functional area, however, is the “drop zone.” Here, you’ll find dedicated storage for the mail, keys, cellphones, and all of the other items that are typically tossed on the kitchen counter.

Finally, the exterior design features a careful blend of materialsand details resulting in and a well-proportioned and traditionally inspired cottage. However, closer inspection reveals that the home is actually a very economical rectangle that utilizes simpleand straight forward roof forms.